American Style Marinara Sauce
This American-style marinara sauce is hearty, garlicky, and loaded with herbs. Simmered low and slow with tomatoes, onion, and a splash of olive oil, it makes a rich pasta sauce that’s perfect to keep on hand.
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 onions chopped
- 8-10 garlic cloves minced
- 2 (28 ounce) can canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoon Fresh thyme
- 3 tablespoons fresh oregano chopped
- 1 cup chopped basil leaves
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 to 2 anchovies mashed, optional
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil and cook the onions over medium heat until soft. Add the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the tomatoes (along with their liquid), and the rest of the ingredients (the anchovies are optional but will add depth of flavor).
- Bring the sauce to a boil, turn the heat to low, and simmer for one hour.
- Transfer from the heat, remove and discard the bay leaves and allow the sauce to cool. Pour the cooled sauce into 4 sterilized pint jars leaving 1-inch for expansion, label, and freeze. When completely frozen secure lids. Use as needed. Makes 4 pints of sauce.
Notes
Adjust thickness: The sauce will naturally thicken as it simmers. If you prefer it looser, stir in a splash of water or broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
Freezing tips: Fill jars or containers with the sauce, leaving about 1 inch of headspace for expansion. Freeze uncovered until solid, then add lids.
Storage: Keeps well in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Make it smoother: For a silky marinara, use an immersion blender (or transfer carefully to a blender) to puree after cooking.
Herb timing: Add delicate herbs like basil at the very end of cooking for the freshest flavor.
Multi-use sauce: This marinara isn’t just for pasta. Try it on pizza, in lasagna, over chicken Parmesan, or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1.5g | Fat: 1.7g | Sodium: 8mg
